Entertainment

'Avengers' Joke Ignites Online Protest by Adoption Community

Marvel's The Avengers movie won big on Twitter and in the box office when it premiered May 4. However, one joke from the movie has set off bloggers from the adoption community and fueled an online petition seeking an apology from Marvel Comics.

Jamie Berke created a Change.org petition, "Marvel Comics - Apologize to Adoption Community!" asking Marvel Comics to permanently stop using adoption as the punch line of jokes and apologize for its inclusion of the offensive joke. The petition is yet to pick up much steam, having received fewer than 300 signatures so far.

The line in question comes when the Black Widow says, "[Loki] killed 80 people in 2 days," and Thor, Loki's brother, replies, "He's adopted."

One parent, EricQelDroma, wrote on the Disney Boards that his daughter, who is adopted, was not old enough to discern the humor behind the line.

"I almost laughed, too; the line is well played. But the laughter stuck in my throat when all of the joke's implications crashed down on me. My daughter never got for a second that it was supposed to be a joke.

"'Are people laughing because they think adopted kids are bad? Am I bad?'"

Not all adopted children and parents have rallied behind this petition.

"As an adoptee (now an adult) I would like to add my voice to this and say that you do not speak for me," Shannon Cuttle commented on the Change.org petition. "You do not represent me, and I find this kind of evocation of nameless children for your own petty and bitter purposes to be vile exploitation."

Is this joke an tasteless provocation or a harmless one-liner? Sound off in the comments.

BONUS: 8 Hilarious 'Avengers' Parodies

8 Hilarious 'The Avengers' Parodies

1. The Avengers (on a budget)

What happens when you combine a few friends, some homemade superhero costumes and a few special effects? This hilarious, low-budget version of The Avengers.

2. The Avengers / Friends Parody

The actors playing Marvel's characters get the Friends treatment. I don't know about you guys, but Robert Downey, Jr. is totally a Joey.

3. Ways to Screw Up The Avengers Movie

Past remakes of Avenger character movies may have left fans feeling disappointed. Using action figures, these guys show you all the ways to screw up The Avengers.

4. The Avengers Trailer (Parody)

Using the audio from the actual movie trailer, this parody brings together a different kind of super team: Darth Vader, Chuck Norris, The Godfather and Harry Potter, among others.

5. The Avengers in Real Life

This video begins with a Snakes On a Plane reference, and has lasers, a crossbow and an "exploding car" -- all on what appears to be a $20 budget.

6. The Avengers Parody Audition

Do you think this guy has what it takes to be Ultimate Nick Fury? Hulk seems to think he's no Samuel L. Jackson, but what's hilarious is this video is not his audition -- it's the Avengers auditioning for him.

7. The "UnAvengers"

This time "The UnAvengers" come to life after an eye injury from a Roman candle. We're pretty sure Hulk shouldn't spray paint himself, but Iron Man does a good job appearing to be run over.

8. The Extended "Avengers TV Super Bowl TV Spot!"

We're not exactly sure what's going on here, but this trailer has ice cream, dinosaurs and Leeroy Jenkins, and it's awkwardly hilarious. We love a good mashup of Internet and film culture.

BONUS: Avengers Assemble!

Mashable reader Kyle Hillman has introduced us to the entire series of Avengers parodies. This specific episode pertains to healthcare, and Stan Lee makes a special guest appearance in season two.

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